Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-05-13
The Master Blacksmith.
BY JOHN y. DICKEY.

from the turn Of his lips. Ihey
were an ordinary pair indeed when
in repose, which, TO tell the exact
truth, was not often; bu: this morning
they were puckered up in the most
comical manner, wrinkling Lis ruddy
cheeks, and giving his whole physi-
oenomy distorted aDd distressed
appearance, painful to behold. But
be was an excellent whistler. vi
that there was not the smallest
doubt. Clear, resonant, trilling up
and down the May labyrinths OF two
octaves, with never false note; his
hands in lis pockets, his tattered
straw hat thrown back on his curly
head, his sturdy feet, brown and bare,
kicking little clouds of dust in the
road which wound along the base OF
stony hillside, almost at white
heat beneath the rays Of the MONDAY
sun.
Suddenly the music ceased. Evi.
dentIy our musician had whistled
himself out of brown study into
into some sort of a decision, for he
stopped, picked up a pebble. and
tossed it over the fence with a jerk.
"Yea, I'll do it. l don'tlike it bat
she'll never fnd it out. I'm pretty
near wore out thinkin' fore and
thinkin' agin, and havin' first one
side, and then t'other. But it is
over with at lagt, and amt | glad of
it, though 7"
With quickened footsteps he now
turned to the right and ascended the
hill, entering a small cottage sur
rounded by a well-kept lawn, boz
dered by choice collection Of annu-
al Towering plants, now in the height
Of their beauty.
"Well, mother, ITO a slender,
pale-faced woman who stood at an
Ironing table-"I've decided. Its all
right. Gadford's got me. Thought
it all over, just as you said. III be-
gin with him tomorrow, if he says
so.n
you're sure, now my son-very
sure it's your own will and choiceW
replied his mother, anxiously.
dead sure" returned the lad
stoutly. "Uf course, a blacksmith's
apprentice cant put On so many high
toned airs az if be was studyin' medi-
cine, but that amt anything you
know-is it?"
Have you ever put on any airs,
Jerry, or have you ever desired tor
answered the good woman, laughing,
"No, no, Of course not,"-a little
impatiently. "But in the eyes Of
other folks, you know, Dr. Altman
would-would sound more dignifed
like than Jerry Altman, blacksmith, ;
wouldn't it, now!"
"The trade your father followed,
and the reputation he earned az a
good workman and an honest man."
returned the widow, with sparkling
eyes, SOUNDED as well in the ears Of
this community as that Of DR.. Fields,
who has 80 kindly offered to take
you into his Office You might
make an excellent physician that
remains TO be proven; but as black
smith, you are sure Of success f.om
the very start"
ooh: yes, any one can learn that
trade, retorted Jerry, a little bitterly,
so much 30 he stroye to disguise the
tone with a feeble whistle
"By no means" returned Mrs. At
man, quickly. "Master blacksmiths
are rare. To shoe horse well is in
itself an art. Why not begin with
the determination Of becoming an ar
tist in iron? You inherit your faith
er's talents. Don't be ashamed of
them. Remember, my son, you need
not, if you will not, remain chained TO
the forge for life."
Jerry sprang TO his feet with &
shining face and tossed his hat across
the room. "God bless you for say
ing that, mother If ] am man
enough 10 make chain, can cut the
links when want to, can't |?
Hurrah Hurrah Godford forev-
or !"
Blaketon was n small village nest
ling among the hills in the southern
part Of Ohio.
Among the many institutions Of
this village, which gave it name and
fame throughout the country, was a
long, low, rambling structure, black
with the smoke Of fifty years. Here
the fires in two forges were constant
ly ablaze, and the merry music Of
hammer and anvil could be heard at
oil seasoas Of the year, regardless
alike Of wind and weather.
The presiding spirit Of this Of this
establishment wac an eccentric, mid.
dle.aged man. with a tongue ever
wagging over the small gossip Of the
ncighborhood, which he benevolent
ly dispensed TO the group Of idlers
who seldom failed TO give him more
or lees Of an audience. This fact be.
ing recognized, some unknown party
had dubbed the shop "Gadiord's Har-
b0r.n
1t was q cold frosty morning in
November. MIR. Gadford had begun
work. For wonder he was alone
A circumstance 40 unusual, appar-
emily had its effect, for he dropped
his hammer aud went TO the door.
81 wonder what's the matter with
Jerry this morning?" he muttered, az
he filled his pipe aud squinted up and
down the long street. "First day
he's been off time since he started in,
SOmethin's up or down with him,
sartln. never cav boy 40 bent on
gettin at trade in my life, but hc's
tryin' TO move with it a lectle too
fast for beginner. Some say that
c0nceity folks il the kind that wins.
| wonder if they do? / never
thought nothih' Of myself--nothin' AT
all; and look at me now / don't
think there's horse in the State /
can't shoe to notch, nor any work
in iron ] amt up TO. Solid worth il
what takes the lead, but stuckupitive-
ness, never ! gucss I'll have TO drop
this prentice Of mine peg or two.
All hope il there won't be any
broken bones ~ and he turned TO his